Staff of the Ghana Water Company Limited have warned that they will resume an industrial action effectively closing the taps to several homes in the greater Kumasi area if destruction of the company’s residential properties is not halted.
The workers carried out a threat to shut down operations from Friday December 13 to December 16, 2024 leaving several homes without running water with its attendant hardships and inconveniences.
The staff embarked on the protest when a private developer demolished the walls of the residencies of two chief managers and broke down a boys’ quarters attached to one of the bungalows.
They indicated that other residential facilities for managers of the company were under threat from private developers who they insisted were bent on taking over the properties of the company despite a complaint lodged with the police and headquarters of the Water Company.
After a meeting with board and managers of the company on Monday December 16, 2024 however, the staff served notice they have resumed operations with assurances, their demands will be addressed.
“We have just concluded an emergency meeting with a delegation from the Board and Management of the Company this morning. We have received assurances from the Directors of their commitment to addressing the unlawful demolition of the residence of the Chief Managers in the Ashanti Region and the increasing threat to our properties,” an official letter from the union stated.
The workers warned, they will not hesitate to resume the strike if no action is taken to secure the properties under contention and the perpetrators brought to book.
“While we temporarily suspend the industrial action, we wish to emphasize that the Union shall closely monitor the progress of the promises made and will not hesitate to resume industrial action should the need arise,” the staff cautioned.
The staff have apologized to the region for the inconveniences caused and explained it was a necessary evil taken at the spur of the moment, to safeguard properties of the state in the spirit of stewardship.
